July 06, 2005

BAD DECISION number 2,498

So, Matt will not be continuing school this fall. We can't afford the tuition / books. Financial aid SUCKS. The MOST he could get is $2,100 A YEAR for the Pell Grant ( but to get full amount you must be - you guessed it - in district) , unless he wants to go and get some loans. BUT WAIT.... we don't qualify for ANY loans ( that are affordable) until we live here for TWO YEARS. You see, If you live here for ONE year before you enroll, you qualify as an in-district local, and can get more financial aid... BUT, if you ENROLL and you haven't been here a year yet, you must be a resident for TWO years....

"In district
An individual who owns property, or who has maintained a permanent and continuous residence, in the district for one full year prior to the beginning of the first term of enrollment will be classified as an in-district resident. The COCC District consists of all of Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson Counties, the northern portion of Klamath and Lake Counties, and the Warm Springs Indian Reservation in Jefferson and Wasco Counties.

Out of district (in state)
An individual who has maintained a permanent and continuous residence in the state of Oregon but outside of the COCC district during the full year prior to the beginning of the first term of enrollment will be classified as “out of district.” The student’s residency will convert to in-district two calendar years after the term in which the student began classes.


Out of state
An individual who has not maintained a permanent and continuous residence in the state of Oregon during the full year prior to the beginning of the first term of enrollment will be classified as “out of state.” The student’s residency will convert to in-district two calendar years after the term in which the student began classes.
"


So you see, Matt has to wait two years to be considered "in district" since he already enrolled. If we had waited for him to start in winter term, he would be in district, and we would have less of an issue. This policy seems kind of odd since COCC is a COMMUNIYT COLLEGE, and it is a TWO YEAR SCHOOL. So, according to them, if you're full time, you can get the in-district pricing and financial aid.... WHEN YOU'RE DONE WITH SCHOOL.

So, the fall back plan is for him to just take one class at a time. That's like $300 a term. This sucks. Not sure what the hell we're gonna do. We were supposed to move into Davinies place this winter.. we can't afford that unless we're getting the COOPER scholarship. Can only get the scholarship if Matt's in school. Can only have Matt in School if I go back to work full time plus. I can only go back to work full time plus if Raegan is in day care. If Raegan is in day care, she will literally be spending 1/3 of her life with someone else, learning their values, their parenting style, their hugs and kisses, etc. Having her raised by someone else pretty much negates the whole reason we were sending him to full time school in the first place. So, what to do? Either we're screwed, Davinie is screwed, or Papa is screwed. How the hell do we make this all better?
Man, we are SO GOOD at making crappy decisions. Can I get a job doing that? Moving down here may have saved our sanity, but it has FU*#ED up our future. Is Raegan gonna be the one to pay for our mistakes? When will we finally do something RIGHT??????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm ready for life to be good now, OK?? I'll settle for "moving in the right direction", will that be so hard?

Can someone plese point me in the "right direction", please? I can't seem to find it.

4 comments:

Davinie Fiero said...

I DO NOT even know what to say. I am so sorry. Don't worry about me though, we'll find someone else to rent the house if you can't. maybe now's the time to look into what you'd have to do to work for Kelli Gregory?

Sabrina said...

Need the education. That requires money, and time. Either I take the COCC class ($ and car required) or I take the home class ( just $, but more of it)
Plus, she said for the first while she averaged around $2 an hour. Granted, that's more then I make now, but will that make the expense for the education worth it?

Davinie Fiero said...

Medical terminology is not an expensive class to take, and you can type every day for free to get that skill up to par. You have to start somewhere, and it isn't always at the top. Like you said, it's more than you get now.
While it is unfortunate that you weren't aware of all of the details regarding COCC tuition fees, I wouldn't let it change your course too much. Matt will still be taking classes, and he'll take those most geared towards his desired profession. He may find that he doesn't need the degree in order to get the job, just have the skills. Have him keep taking all of those computer courses.

Sabrina said...

OK, crisis over, I guess. Vodka is great, isn't it? STUDENT LOANS HERE WE COME!!